Two-compartment envelope



Aug. 4, 1970 R. J. CARRIGAN TWO'COMPARTMENT ENVELOPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 10. 1968 8 .9 %W ma zww 1970 R. J. CARRIGAN 3,522,908

TWO-COMPARTMENT ENVELOPE- Filed Sept. 10, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet :3

United States Patent 3,522,908 TWO-COMPARTMENT ENVELOPE Robert J. Carrigan, Thomsonville, Conn., assignor to United States Envelope Company, Springfield, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Sept. 10, 1968, Ser. No. 758,782 Int. Cl. B65d 27/08 U.S. Cl. 22972 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A two-compartment envelope made from a blank of sheet material including a plurality of connected panels folded into overlying relation and forming an elongated main compartment open at one end. Two of the panels are attached together in face-to-face relation forming another compartment of lesser longitudinal extent than the main compartment and wholly separated therefrom. A single closing or sealing flap provides a closure for both compartments. The other compartment has a window for exposing at least a portion of an insert which may be received therein and may also be provided with a side opening and an associated sealing flap foldable to a closed position relative to the latter opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to envelopes and deals more particularly with two-compartment envelopes having common closing or sealing flaps.

The general aim of this invention is to provide improvedenvelopes of the aforedescribed general type particularly adapted for manufacture on automatic envelope making machinery and each suited to carry a relatively large item and a substantially smaller one separated from each other and accessible upon opening of a single closing flap. The envelope may, for example, carry a relatively bulky item in its main compartment and a message and/ or return envelope or reply card in its smaller compartment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a two compartment envelope is comprised of a plurality of panels joined together in overlying relation to form a main envelope compartment open at one end. One of the panels is attached in face-to-face relation to another of the panels to form another compartment substantially smaller than the main compartment open at said one end and having a closed end spaced from the closed end of the main compartment. A closing flap connected to one of the panels is foldable to a closed position to provide a closure for both the main compartment and the other compartment. The other compartment may also be provided with a side opening and an associated sealing flap providing a closure for the latter opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of an envelope embodying this invention with the closing flap thereof being shown in its open position.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a blank from which the envelope of FIG. 1 is folded.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but shows the blank in a partially folded condition.

FIG. 4 is a front view of another envelope embodying this invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the envelope of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a blank from which the envelope of FIG. 4 is made.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 but shows the blank in a partially folded condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to the drawings and referring first to FIGS. 1-3, a two compartment envelope embodying the present invention and indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1 is formed from a unitary blank 12 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The blank is made from a paper stock or any other suitable sheet material cut by die or other suitable means. A plurality of fold or score lines divide the blank 12 into a plurality of panels and flaps which include a rear panel 14, a front panel 16, an intermediate panel 18, a connecting flap 20, an end sealing flap 22 and a closing flap 24. The rear panel 14 is generally rectangular in shape and as oriented in FIGS. 13 is defined by two side fold lines 26 and 28, an upper fold line 30' and a lower fold line 32. The other panels may be made in various slightly different shapes, but preferably and as shown each of these panels is also generally rectangular. The panels 16 and 18 are connected along another fold line 34 generally parallel to the fold lines 26 and 28. When the bank 12 is cut an opening or window 36 and a relatively wide upwardly opening notch 38 are cut in the front panel 16.

Various means may be employed to further connect the panels to form a main compartment and to attach one of the panels in face-to-face relation to another panel to form a smaller compartment, but preferably lines of adhesive are applied to the surfaces of the blank for this purpose before the blank is folded. A line of adhesive 40 applied to the front surface of the front panel .16 extends transversely thereof in spaced relation to the lower fold line 32. Another line of adhesive 42 disposed near the fold line 26 extends upwardly from the line of adhesive 40 generally toward the upper end of the front panel 16. Still another line of adhesive 44 is applied to the front surface of the panel 22 near the lower or free edge thereof. Yet another line of adhesive 46 is applied to the rear surface of the connecting flap 20 near and extending generally parallel to the fold line 28.

The sequence in which the panels are folded into overlying relation will be evident from the consideration of FIGS. 2, 3 and 1, respectively, in that order. First, the intermediate panel 18 and the connecting flap 20 are folded inwardly along fold lines 34 and 28 and into respective overlying relation with the front panel 16 and the rear panel 14, as shown in FIG. 3. The panels 16 and 18 are attached together in face-to-face relation by the lines of adhesive 40 and 42. Next, as will be evident from FIG. 1, the panels 16 and 18 are folded along the fold line 26 so as to overlie associated portions of the rear panel 14 and the connecting flap 20. Associated portions of the panels 16 and 18 are connected to the flap 20 along the line of adhesive 46. Lastly, the panel 22 is folded along the fold line 32 into overlying relation with the front panel 16 and connected thereto by the line of adhesive 44. Portions of the panels 16 and 18 cooperate with the panels 14 and the flaps 20 and 22 to define an elongated main envelope pocket or compartment which has a mouth 48 at its upper end, as shown in FIG. 1. Another somewhat smaller compartment is formed between the panels 16 and 18, the fold line 34 and the lines of adhesive 40 and 42 defining the margins of this smaller compartment and wholly separating it from the main compartment. The smaller compartment has a mouth 50 at its upper end partially defined by the notch 38 and near the mouth 48.

The closing flap 24 is foldable to a closed position indi cated by broken lines in FIG. 1 and in the latter position serves as a closure for both the main compartment and the smaller one. In the illustrated embodiment 10 a fastener 52 which has bendable tabs or wings is secured to the intermediate panel 18 and serves to releasably retain the closing flap 24 in its closed position. However, if desired, a strip of adhesive (not shown) may be applied to the flap 24 for sealing it closed.

When an insert (not shown) such as a return envelope or card is placed into the smaller compartment a portion of the insert will be exposed through the window 36 so that the address of a receiver may be imprinted thereon. The insert may, if desired, have the return address of the sender imprinted on its reversed side so that it may be removed from and reinserted into the smaller compartment with this return address in registry with the window 36.

The envelope 10 is particularly adapted to be made on automatic envelope making machinery so that an insert may, if desired, be built into the envelope as it is formed. When the envelope is to be made with a built-in insert, the insert is preferably positioned on the panel 16 before the panel 18 is folded into overlying relation therewith. Thereafter the remaining folding, attaching and connecting operations are performed in the manner generally aforedescribed.

Another envelope embodying the present invention and indicated generally at 52 in FIGS. 4 and is made from a unitary blank indicated generally at 54 in FIGS. 6 and 7. Like the previously described blank 12, the blank 54 is divided into a plurality of panels by a plurality of fold or score lines and includes a rear panel 56, a front panel 58, an intermediate panel 60, and end panel or sealing flap 62, a side sealing flap 64, and a closing flap or sealing panel 66. A window 65 is cut in the front panel 58 and an upper portion of the latter panel is cut away as indicated at 67 when the blank 54 is formed. The rear panel 56 is generally rectangular in shape being defined by side fold lines 68 and 70, an upper fold line 72 and a lower fold line 74. Another fold line 76 forms a line of separation between the front panel 58 and its associated side sealing flap 64.

As in the previously described construction, lines of adhesive are provided for connecting the panels to form a main envelope compartment and for attaching one of the panels in face-to-face relation to another panel to form another compartment smaller than and wholly separated from the main compartment. Lines of adhesive 78 and 80 are applied to the front surfaces of the panels 62 and 64, respectively, along the free edges thereof. Another line of adhesive 82 extends transversely of the front panel 58 in spaced relation to the fold line 74 to define the closed end of the smaller compartment. Additional lines of adhesive 84 and 86 extend in opposite directions from opposite ends of the line of adhesive 82 and toward opposite ends of the front panel 58, the line 84 being disposed near the fold line 70 and the line 86 extending along the marginal portion of the front panel 58 near the free side edge thereof. A spot of adhesive 88 is also applied at the upper free corner of the front panel 58 near the fold line 76.

The sequence in which the panels are folded to form the envelope 52 will be evident from consideration of FIGS. 6, 7 and 4 in stated order. The intermediate panel '60 is first folded along the fold line 68 and into overlying relation with the rear panel 56. Thereafter, the front panel 58 is folded along the fold line 70 to overlie an associated portion of the intermediate panel 60, the lines of adhesive 82, 84 and 86 serving to attach the latter two panels together in face-to-face relation. The adhesive spot 88 serves to adhere the upper corner of the front panel 58 to the intermediate panel 60. Finally, the end sealing panel 62 is folded along the fold line 74 and into overlying relationship with the front panel 58 and is connected thereto by the line of adhesive 78.

The panels 56, 58, 60 and 62 cooperate to define a main pocket or compartment which has a mouth 85 at its up per end. Another somewhat smaller compartment is formed between the front panel 58 and the intermediate panel 60, the marginal portion of this compartment being defined by the lines of adhesive 82 and 84 which also serve to separate this smaller compartment from the main one. The smaller pocket has a mouth 90 at its upper end near the mouth 85. The closing flap 66 is foldable along the line 72 to its closed position indicated by broken lines in FIGS. 4 and 5 and provides a substantially closure for both compartments. A fastener 92 secured to the intermediate panel 60 serves to releasably retain the closing flap 66 in its closed position. The side sealing flap 64 is foldable from an open position to a closed position to pro vide a closure for the side opening in the small compartment. In the open position the sealing flap 64 extends outwardly beyond the outer boundary of the main compartment. The side opening in the small compartment permits material to be inserted into this compartment by conventional inserting equipment even when the closing flap 66 is sealed or otherwise retained in its closed position.

What I claim is:

1. A two-compartment envelope comprising at least three panels in overlying relationship, means connecting said panels to form a main envelope compartment closed at one end and open at the opposite end thereof, first and second lines of adhesive between one and another of said panels attaching said one panel in face-to-face relation to said other panel to form another compartment including a closed end spaced from said one end of said main compartment and an open end near said opposite end of said main compartment, said first line of adhesive extending transversely of said envelope in spaced relation to said one end, said second line of adhesive extending from said first line of adhesive toward said other end, said other compartment being substantially smaller than said main compartment and wholly separated therefrom, and a closing flap connected to one of said panels at said opposite end and foldable to a closed position to provide a closure for both said main compartment and said other compartment.

2. A two-compartment envelope comprising at least three panels of substantially equal width in overlying relationship, means connecting said panels to form a main envelope compartment closed at one end and open at the opposite end thereof, first and second lines of adhesive between one and another of said panels attaching said one panel in face-to-face relation to said other panel to form another compartment including a closed end spaced from said one end of said main compartment and an open end near said opposite end of said main compartment, said first line of adhesive extending transversely of said envelope in spaced relation to said one end, said second line of adhesive extending from said first line of adhesive toward said other end, said other compartment being of substantially lesser width than said main compartment and wholly separated therefrom, and a closing flap connected to one of said panels at said opposite end and foldable to a closed position to provide a closure for both said main compartment and said other compartment.

3. A two-compartment envelope comprising at least three panels in overlying relationship, means connecting said panels to form a main envelope compartment closed at one end and open at the opposite end thereof, means attaching one of said panels in face-to-face relation to another of said panels to form another compartment including a closed end spaced from said one end of said main compartment and open near said opposite end of said main compartment, said other compartment having a side opening and being substantially smaller than said main compartment and wholly separated therefrom, a closing flap connected to one of said panels at said opposite end and foldable to a closed position to provide a closure for both said main compartment and said other compartment, and another closing flap connecting to one of said panels and foldable between an open and a closed position to provide a closure for said side opening said other closing flap in said open possition extending outwardly beyond the outer boundary of said main other compartment.

4. A two-compartment envelope comprising a blank of sheet material folded along a plurality of fold lines and having at least three panels of substantially equal width connected along said fold lines, said panels including a rear panel, a front panel substantially equal in length to said rear panel and connected to one side edge thereof along a first one of said fold lines and an intermediate panel of substantially lesser length than said front and rear panels connected to the other side edge of said front panel along a second one of said fold lines and disposed between said front and rear panels, means connecting said panels to form a main envelope compartment closed at one end and open at the opposite end thereof and including a connectinng flap connected to the other side edge of said rear panel along a third one of said fold lines and at least partially disposed between said rear panel and said front and intermediate panels, a line of adhesive connecting said connecting flap to associated portions of said front and intermediate panels, means attaching said front to said intermediate panel in face-to-face relation to form another compartment including a closed end spaced from said one end of said main compartment and an open end near said opposite end of said main compartment, said other compartment being substantially smaller than said main compartment and wholly separated therefrom, and a closing flap connected to one of said panels at said opposite end and foldable to a closed position to provide a closure for both said main compartment and said other compartment.

5. A two-compartment envelope as set forth in claim 2 wherein said connecting means comprises a fold line connecting said one and said other panel and said second line of adhesive is transversely spaced from said fold line, said fold line and said first and second lines of adhesive defining marginal portions of said other compartment.

6. A two-compartment envelope as set forth in claim 1 wherein said other compartment has a side opening and said envelope includes another closing flap connected to one of said panels and foldable from an open to a closed position to provide a closure for said side openmg.

7. A two-compartment envelope as set forth in claim 1 folded from a blank of sheet material wherein said connecting means comprises a plurality of fold lines and said panels are of substantially equal width and include a rear panel, a front panel substantially equal in length to said rear panel and connected to one side edge of said rear panel along a first one of said fold lines and an intermediate panel of substantially lesser length than said front and rear panels connected to the other side edge of said front panel along a second one of said fold lines and disposed between said front and rear panels, said front and intermediate panels respectively comprising said one panel and said other panel.

8. A two-compartment envelope as set forth in claim 2 including means associated with said other compartment for exposing a portion of an insert received therein.

9. A two-compartment envelope as set forth in claim 2 including means for releasably retaining said closing flap in said closed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,598,983 9/1926 Olrn 229-72. 1,895,485 1/1933 Overly 229-72 1,976,321 10/1934 Benedict 22972 2,325,942 8/1943 Drake 206-63.2

DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner us. or. X.R. 229-41 

